Photo By Sgt. 1st Class James Wilt | 052409-A-7186W-006 - An Iraqi Security Forces position sits high on a hill overlooking...... read more read more
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Pfc. James Wilt
82nd airborne Division Public Affairs Office
Sept. 22, 2005
TALL AFAR, Iraq -- U.S. Army Soldiers, including paratroopers from the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, began implementing a plan to provide long-term security for the residents here Sept. 21, 2005.
"We are committed to the long-term security of Tall Afar," said Lt. Col. Christopher Gibson, commander of the 2nd Bn., 325th AIR.
The city, which has been the recent focus of joint U.S. and Iraqi operations over the past several weeks, has suffered from insurgent attacks and corruption in both the local government and local Iraqi Security Forces.
The insurgency rose to the point were local residents were told to evacuate the city prior to an offensive operation by joint U.S. and Iraqi Security Forces.
The operation was focused on insurgents who were not only attacking Coalition Forces, but were also fighting each other.
"So not only are those criminals fighting us and the Iraqi Security Forces, but they are also fighting each other and the civilians have got caught in the middle of all that," said Capt. Kenneth Burgess, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Bn., 325th AIR.
Many of the combatants who opposed the Coalition Forces were believed to be outside fighters from other parts of the country and from foreign countries.
Different groups of extremist have come here and they have created divisions between people, Burgess said.
Other divisions in the city have been created by allegations of police corruption in the Iraqi Security Forces.
"There was corruption in the government and corruption in the police force," Burgess said.
"Within the Iraqi police, some of them are very good men, but a lot of them have used their positions in uniform to settle family feuds," Burgess said.
All parties involved in maintaining peace in the area, are taking the allegations very seriously.
"I can tell you, the American and Iraqi governments are looking very closely at all reports about police corruption," Burgess said.
"It is my understanding that the Iraqi government, even in Baghdad, is aware of the circumstance here and is involved in the pursuit of justice," Gibson said.
Reports of corruption go all the way up to the top with allegations against the former chief of police.
"There have been some folks who have come forward with statements [against the former chief of police]â?¦ and it's being investigated right now," Gibson said.
The Army is now trying to implement plans to create a more balance police force in hopes of ending corruption.
"We are trying to hire a police force that balances the different types of religions, cultures and families that pertain to Tall Afar," Burgess said.
The Army hopes to use recommendations from local families to hire a less corrupt force, Burgess said.
He added there are plans to build five new police stations in the city and to hire approximately 300 new officers for the local police force.
There are approximately 250 police officers currently working here.
The local government, which is also said to be corrupt and unbalanced, is also under investigation.
Burgess said he believes the corruption and imbalance in the local government can be attributed to the Sunni population's failure to participate in last years inaugural elections.
He also believes the Sunni people are beginning to understand the need to be active politically.
Educating the local residents on the need to vote so that they will have equal representation in the government is a priority for the American Forces.
"We encourage everyone to participate in that political process, by not participating, they will not have the representation that they want," Burgess said.
"If they [the Sunnis] come out to this next election in large numbers, and vote
against the constitution, that is their right, that is why we have the election," he added.
Many factors have to be set in place to bring stability to the now war-ravaged town.
"We try and set those conditions so that there remains peace but that takes the cooperation of the communities, it takes the cooperation of Iraqi Security Forces, and it takes our cooperation," Burgess said.
Despite the efforts of the Coalition Forces, they understand that ultimately peace and security is in the hands of the local communities.
"If the communities allow criminals to come back in, then we will have to continue military operations. If we work together to keep it peaceful, there will be less of a military presence," Burgess said.
Burgess added, "If those communities allow criminals and terrorist to cause problems in that area, to conduct attacks from that area, then we have no choice but to go to that area."
American Forces are dedicated to the stability of the local region as well the stability of the entire nation, and have no plans to leave the country until stability has been established.
"[We will not leave] until there is a new Iraqi government that is strong and fair to all Iraqi people, and we have Iraqi Security Forces, boarder patrols, Iraqi army and Iraqi police that are strong enough not only to fight criminals in the cities but also able to defend Iraq from other countries," Burgess said.
In order to create stability, the Iraqi security forces need good, honest men to join the Iraqi police and Army, Burgess added.
But, until then, the U.S. Army will "work to ensure the safety of the streets and the reconstruction of the city both in terms of reconstruction of the homes, the streets, and the infrastructure and, as importantly, the relationships, to reconstruct or provide healing for all the people of Tall Afar," Gibson said.
| Date Taken: | 09.26.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 09.26.2005 18:11 |
| Story ID: | 3120 |
| Location: | TAL AFAR, IQ |
| Web Views: | 243 |
| Downloads: | 118 |
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